THE RACE HAS gone to the wire – and possibly will go beyond it – as Glengad United came from behind to set up a winner-takes-all final day clash with Clonmany Shamrocks.
Culdaff FC 1 Glengad United 2
Shane Byrne’s Glengad defeated Culdaff yesterday before a massive crowd at Caratra Park as Seamus Doherty and Christy Fildara netted after Aiden Cunningham’s opener for the hosts.
The derby fireworks were lit as Glengad took a hard-fought win to move level with Clonmany ahead of their tussle at Shamrock Park. A draw there and the Jackie Crossan Premier Division’s destination will be decided in a play-off.
Glengad started well and in the opening minutes Nigel McMonagle fired just wide from the edge of the area before the same player crossed for Terence Doherty whose glancing header was well saved by Darragh McLaughlin.
Culdaff responded and Paul McLaughlin headed a Brendan McLaughlin corner narrowly over the bar.
On seven minutes Terence Doherty broke onto a long ball and a superb drag back sold a defender but he fired straight at McLaughlin from 10 yards.
Midway through the half a long hanging cross from Conor Keddy was well collected by Sean O’Donnell in the Glengad goal.
The visitors broke then and a brilliant pass from Stephen McLaughlin sent Doherty clear into the area but McLaughlin stood tall and saved with his legs before minutes later McLaughlin fired over from the edge of the area.
For all that Culdaff should have scored on the stroke of half time when Dillon Ruddy picked out Michael Coyle running into the area and when he nicked the ball past the advancing O’Donnell from an acute angle his effort cannoned off the post.
The home side took the lead on 52 minutes when Paul McLaughlin challenged O’Donnell for a bouncing ball inside the area and when the ball ran loose, Cunningham pounced to slot home.
Minutes later Michael Coyle released Brendan McLaughlin inside the area and from a very tight angle he fired just past the post.
Glengad got back on terms on 61 minutes when the home side lost possession twice on the edge of their area allowing Patrick McDermott to feed Seamus Doherty inside the area on the right hand side and he finished superbly with the outside of his left foot to the far corner.
Culdaff replied on 68 minutes when Keddy fed substitute Niall McLaughlin who controlled brilliantly and his first time effort was deflected just over the bar. From Culdaff’s corner Glengad broke with substitute Christy Fildara feeding McMonagle on the left but his effort was well gathered by McLaughlin.
Glengad got the winner on 72 minutes when the ball seemed to strike a Glengad player in an offside position and, with the home defence appealing in vain, Fildara ran in to drill low past the advancing keeper.
Culdaff tried hard to the end and Niall McLaughlin broke on the right and crossed for Coyle who glanced a header into the side netting.
Glengad stood firm and join Clonmany at the top of the table. It couldn’t be tighter – and the prospect of them having to do battle at Maginn Park in a play-off remains alive.
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